Photo Friday: Balloons!

Last weekend, I went out for my friend Anne's birthday. I got her a cake: That was nice, but here's the kicker: There were balloons! Somehow, they turned the evening into a photo shoot... here's Caroline shooting Anne: And Mariel caught in the flash: Me, hamming it up: Erin, almost flying away: We carried them all around Brooklyn and lots of people noticed us (consider this your how-to-meet-a-guy tip: Carry balloons!). I'm just saying: These helium-filled rainbow orbs can make a party. Get some for your next soiree. (Thanks, Marie and Johan!) Oh, and thanks to Nicole for sending me this pic -- her library finally got the Violet books! Yay! Happy weekend!

Win-It Wednesday: Swoon by Nina Malkin

Last week's winner of The Daughters is... Kayte J! Send me your address, K. (Loved all the video links. I laughed! I cried! I was mildly amused. The gamut.) Anyway, this week, the lovely Nina Malkin is celebrating the release of Swoon in paperback (remember when I talked to her about that epic cover? Or when I made a vlog about my very first swoon?). Anyway... I like this book. Nina will send a signed copy to the winner of this contest. To enter, just comment below and tell me about your first swoon (celebrity crush, guy/girl in your 2nd grade class, whoever made your heart speed up... I want to hear!). You can write as little as, "His name was Ed" to as much as you can type. I'll choose a winner next Wednesday. Tell, tell! Okay, okay, here's me telling first: PS-The characters in Swoon give love advice. How cool is that? Go here for their insights.

Tuesday Cooking: Bean Sprout Blunder

Dave has guitar lessons on Monday nights now, which means that I get to cook dinner once a week. (Usually, he makes something delicious and well presented.)I've taken to this new challenge because, as you may know, I'm obsessed with the Barefoot Contessa and I have a slight crush on Naked Chef Jamie Oliver (I even wrote him into my new book yesterday, but that will probably get cut). Anyway! I've decided to chronicle my (mis)adventures in the kitchen here on Tuesdays. So let's get started: Last night, I attempted to make the dish you see above, Soy Bean Sprouts with Shiitake Mushrooms. I even bought some shrimp to add to it, because I'm not a vegetarian. Isn't it pretty? Yeah, well, when I made it, it ended up like this: On the plus side: The shrimp, which I "steeped" (after looking up that word online), was perfectly done. The bad news: Those are not soy bean sprouts. This is a major ingredient malfunction, people! I had the wrong kind of sprouts for a dish called "Soy Bean Sprouts with Shiitake Mushrooms"! Luckily, I got the mushrooms right. But still, it was a mess. Those regular sprouts are crunchy and do not have the lovely tails of their soy bean sisters. Dave ate dinner dutifully and said my technique was flawless. I just need to work on getting the ingredients right. There's always next week! Oh, also, I made guacamole. This I can do: Have you ever had a kitchen (mis)adventure? Tell me. It'll make me feel better. Happy Tuesday!

Cover Stories: Invisible Girl by Mary Hanlon Stone

I got an early copy of Mary Hanlon Stone's Invisible Girl, and by the time the final copy was ready, the cover had completely changed! Intriguing. I had to ask Mary what she thought.First, something from the back cover of the book, which is beautifully written. Meet Stephanie, a girl from Boston who's abandoned by her mother and sent to live with a family in Beverly Hills: Everyone's been asking me questions about my life in Boston. I'm unaccustomed to this much attention, but I've already learned from watching Eva talk about her math and science award that I should appear reluctant to discuss myself. So at first I protest that nothing I do is very interesting, and then I spit out a string of lies, one at a time, like a rainbow of glass beads. Once the lies are out, they grow arms and legs and silent, stoic faces that guard my secrets of unwashed hair, stale snacks from greasy boxes and cold walks home from school in shoes that have long been too tight. The lies surround me with their golden shields and ice-tipped spears, letting no one look in and see my motherless life. So lovely! Now, here's Mary on the cover: "I never even thought about the cover as I was writing. I was just living in Stephanie's world! By the time the decisions for the cover were made, I was deep into writing the first draft of the book that's coming out next Spring, The Comedown Life. "The first time I saw the first cover I thought, Wow, they really captured how Stephanie tried to be invisible while at the same time being out in public. I really liked it, but I have to admit, when I saw the new cover, I liked it even more because it still had the element of invisibility but also added the lightness and hopeful element upon which the book ends. "I don't know if the cover is a stock photo or from a shoot, but a lot of the kids who have seen both covers are dying to know who the invisible girl is! "I really love my cover. It has a sense of mystery about it that is misted with hopefulness and longing. It is very much like Stephanie herself." Thanks, Mary! I do like the mystery in both covers. The second and final cover definitely has a breezy, summery feel that captures the protagonist's new world -- it almost makes me think the girl on that cover isn't the main character at all, but someone she meets in LA. Though her protective stance -- legs up, arms crossed -- says a lot and seems to be in line with how Stephanie feels. The first cover seems to focus on the darker side of the story, and it actually reminds me of the hardcover for Chasing Windmills by Catherine Ryan Hyde (left), which is a Lookalike cover with some other books (thanks, Alea!). What do you guys think of this cover change? PS-Here's the trailer:

Photo Friday: One More Time, For Spain!

This will be my last Spain Photo Friday--I promise. But I had to share a few more gallivanting pictures (who knows when I'll take a trip this grand again?!). Plus, Becky gave me her photos so I have more to foist upon you (isn't foist such a weird word)! Here goes (sorry if they're fuzzy--click for clear!).Dreaming at The Alhambra... and on the Balcony of Europe in Nerja: It was too cold for a Carolina girl to swim (boo!)... but not too cold for ice cream (yay!) There were camels in Morocco. I'm not proud of this photo. And there was spinning in Valencia (I love this!): There was by-the-pool time with Dave... and cultural Gaudi time with Becky: There were boys racing up stairs (yes, this still happens after 30)... and I stole someone's wedding petals to use in a Becky-in-front-of-charming-Barcelona-chapel photo. Don't worry, the wedding was over. These were fair game! And through it all, there was... PAELLA!! Thank you for letting me share! PS-A quick plaza-in-Granada video, just because I was so enchanted. Spin with me!

Cover Stories: Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Jeri Smith-Ready stopped by on her Girlfriends Cyber Circuit tour to talk Covers. Her latest book, SHADE, is the first in a young adult urban fantasy series about a world of ghosts only the young can see. When Aura's boyfriend meets a most untimely end, she is forced to reconsider her relationship with the living and the dead. Ooh! Here's the deal with that dark and stormy cover:

"I imagined your typical young adult urban fantasy cover for SHADE--girl's face, maybe half cut off. I've always loved Simon Pulse's covers. They're so sophisticated and evocative, so my expectations were pretty high. Since violet and red are important elements in the story, I assumed they would be used on the cover.

"My editor sent me their ideas for the cover concept, but it was more of a, 'Here's what we're thinking' rather than a 'What would you like to see?' e-mail. Which is fine, because I'm so not a visual person. I would've been like, 'Um, how about a girl's face, half cut off? Maybe some swirlies? Oh, and definitely use black.' So helpful.

"The first time I saw my cover, I was Blown. Away. Seriously. I've been super lucky with all my covers, but when I saw the SHADE cover and jacket wrap-around, I cried. I felt like I was in the presence of genius--the designer was Cara Petrus, who designed the House of Night cover series (see book 1, Marked, right) when she was at St. Martin's. She's a goddess.

"My only comments were a series of incoherent noises of glee, so my agent was the one to respond with, 'We unequivocally LOVE THIS SO MUCH. We love EVERYTHING. Really. Home run...THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!' "Oh, and when I met Cara in November, I had a doughnut in my mouth, so all I could do was bow to her, Wayne's World 'We're Not Worthy' style. I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm a dork, and I'm also pretty sure she's right.

"There were no changes, other than to add a tagline and cover quote, plus a short scene on the back cover. They also changed the font on my name (see the full jacket wrap photo for the original font, below). It probably changed before I saw it, though.

"It was shot with a model one night on a Brooklyn rooftop. I need to find out which building so I can visit it and take a picture.

"I adore it even more in its final version. The cover is a soft, luxurious matte, which I cannot stop touching (it's really pathetic how in love I am). The title is debossed on the front and spine, so I keep touching that, too. It's a total sensory experience (except it doesn't smell, and I've never tasted it--I'm not THAT in love).

"One thing I didn't notice at first glance was the clouds in the background, depicting the night sky, which is an important element in the book that Aura shares with the 'other boy' in her life. I loved that Zachary was honored in the cover a little, too, because Aura did star-gazing with him for a school project. I like that the cover manages to tie in so many different elements of the book so gracefully."

Thanks, Jeri! I love a multi-faceted cover. This one reminds me a little of Bleeding Violet and The Soul Screamers series (click for those Cover Stories). It's definitely gorgeous, and the book itself is getting great buzz. A starred review in Publishers Weekly says, "Smith-Ready changes the world completely by simply changing our ability to see."

Nice! I am all for world-changing books.

What do you guys think?

Win-It Wednesday: The Daughters (signed!) by Joanna Philbin

First, the winner of last week's Something Like Fate contest is... Lasha! Send me your address, L.Last night I went to the launch party for The Daughters, the debut novel of Joanna Philbin (who looked totally pretty in pink). The book is about growing up in a celebrity family and the fabulous (and scary and heartbreaking and humiliating and insecure) moments that come with that. Joanna herself is Regis Philbin's daughter, so she knows of what she writes! The party was at the Rose Bar of the Gramercy Park Hotel (swank!) and there were signed copies of the book for all the guests, so I snagged one for you guys. Well, one of you. To enter to win, just comment below and tell me about the best online video you've seen recently. I could use some interesting youtube time. Here's mine: I can't wait for this movie (Easy A, a retelling of The Scarlett Letter -- ha!) just because this trailer delights me. Now THIS is committing to a joke: After the jump: Fuzzy iPhone pics of Joanna and the crowd at the book party (which included a glittering Joan Rivers!).

(Mortified that these are so dark/blurry but it was night-chic in there...) Joanna speaking about how this debut novel is a dream come true. Told you she was pretty in pink! Joanna talking to friend Joan Rivers (who totally smiled at me and made my night!): Dad Regis giving a warm speech for Joanna, in which he said he'd found and read her old letters to Judy Blume!

Readergirlz May with Lisa Yee (+ Lovestruck Summer Sale!)

Come join the chatter on the readergirlz blog -- it'll be fun! Check out the Rgz interview with Lisa, book party ideas themed around her book Absolutely Maybe (remember the Cover Story?), and our Reach Out project idea -- as well as the awesome soundtrack Lisa has chosen for the book -- on readergirlz.com. Also, Lisa cracks me up. Take a peek: Question: Are any of you guys who read this blog in a book club? What are you reading right now? (And either way, join readergirlz so you can book-club-it with me!) PS-Breaking News: It's almost summer (that's not the "breaking" part)! Lovestruck Summer is on super-sale at Amazon.com right now, in case you've been *ahem* meaning to read it. Skip your morning coffee and buy my book instead (for $2.40!!!). I promise, it'll give you a jolt. (Here's Diane at The Book Resort's take, which I love because I get to be called a "genius" -- yes, I read these nice reviews on rainy writing days. Thank you!)

Cover Stories: It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

Jenny Han shared the Cover Story for The Summer I Turned Pretty last year, complete with inspiration board and amazing on-set back story. Now, she's here with tales of the sequel, It's Not Summer Without You, which just came out last week. Here's Jenny:

"I actually didn't really have too many ideas or preconceptions for It's Not Summer Without You. Since it's the second in a series, I knew it had to be of the same mood/general look as the first--and I truly loved the first (below). My one thought was, since the first one is so up-close and intimate, I thought the sequel could maybe be from far off. "We weren't able to get the same model from Book 1, because she is (obvi) gorgeous and busy and on the cover of Nylon now or whatever. But, after much debate and back and forth, we found someone we liked just as much. We knew that her face would be somewhat obscured, so as long as Belly's 'essence' (ha!) was there, it was all good.

"As a birthday present to me, my editor invited me to come to the set. Best birthday present ever! The set was actually on Rockaway Beach at Jacob Riis Park. There was me, my editor, my book designer, the models, the photographer, and the makeup artist, who kept spritzing the models with some sort of beachy hair tonic. I mostly stayed quiet and watched them work their magic. Everyone was lovely and I just felt honored to be there.

"The one thing I asked for after the fact was to sprinkle some (digital) freckles on Belly. The first model had lots o' freckles and I loved them and I wanted to keep that consistent.

"I love the end product and I truly hope the readers will too. Much love to the designer Lucy Cummins, who works very hard and is pretty much brilliant!"

I just adore the beachy summer feel of these covers, and they certainly depict the books' insides (two boys!) well. Also: Love the on-set shot. Thanks, Jenny!

What do you guys think?

Photo Friday: More Espana!

A few more shots from Spain this week, because--hello!--this was an epic trip that I planned forever and I have to share more.First, did I mention that my friend Becky and I found sea glass on the beach in Nerja, which reminded me of the cover of Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler? We did! It was awesome. We also sometimes acted very American. Here's Becky posing with our rented BMW and Dave when we went to see Clash of the Titans in Madrid (I love movies on vacation!). At the Alhambra in Granada, there were gorgeous tiles and wall etchings that made me think of how fashion designers get inspired by patterns and colors: La Mezquita ("The Mosque") in Cordoba is one of my favorite places of all time. Ah, to have a ball in the middle of this gorgeous structure! (I know that's inappropriate, but I wanted to dance here!) Also: A door at an old silk market in Valencia reminded me of the classic Chanel purses. Just saying. Maybe because my life was moving more slowly, I noticed so much natural beauty everywhere. Like this orange grove in Valencia and these brambles at the Alhambra (which reminded me of a photo Beth Kephart might use on her amazing blog). I also noticed funny stuff, like these bathroom signs that cracked us up! I may have also seen a couple of dresses (this yellow one in Valencia has such a great shape, and the tulle skirt at Mango in Madrid that reminded me of my wedding dress? FUN). I didn't buy either, though I would have snagged the yellow one if it hadn't been *cough* $700. In Barcelona one day, everyone was wearing amazing hats! And Gaudi's Casa Batllo rooftop? Just dreamy. Inside the apartments in Casa Batllo: Gorgeous windows with lace curtains and a classic turntable. We stopped by two special doors. Dave and I posed in front of the door to the apartment in Barcelona where my dad lived in 1959 (he was in the Navy and stationed there); and I posed in front of my old door in Madrid, where I lived junior year of college: In Madrid, at the Reina Sofia museum, we saw some gorgeous art. "The Gathering," by Angeles Santos Torroella, was one of my favorites, as was this untitled ship by artist Martin Ramirez, who painted in prison. In Madrid, of course, the best evening was at Casa Patas, where flamenco rules the night! Check it out. Another great thing about Madrid? Long lunches and indie bookstores EVERYWHERE! Oh, when can I go back?! Thanks for looking, guys. I so appreciate it. And if you travel to Spain, let me know! I have lots of ideas for you. xoxo.